Coming to the United States as an immigrant has been the most challenging, yet defining, journey of my life. My roots are in Brazil, a place filled with warmth, family, and strong ties, but also with its own struggles. Leaving behind everything familiar to start fresh here was driven by ambition and hope for a brighter future, but it also came with hurdles I couldn’t have anticipated. The path I’m on has taught me resilience, self-reliance, and the power of dreams. When I arrived, barely speaking English, even simple tasks felt intimidating. I remember standing in line at stores, rehearsing what I’d say to the cashier, hoping I wouldn’t make a mistake. It felt isolating, as if I were trapped between two worlds—my past life in Brazil and the new life I was building here. But I knew I couldn’t let language hold me back. I threw myself into learning English, practicing every chance I got and pushing myself to speak even when I was nervous. Adjusting to cultural differences, especially when it came to making friends, was another obstacle. In Brazil, people are quick to connect and share. Here, friendships took time, and that made me feel more alone at first. But I learned to be patient and started joining study groups, finding small ways to build connections. Little by little, I realized that the slowest bonds often became the strongest. Finances have been another significant challenge. Coming from a family that didn’t have much, I knew from early on that every dollar counted. It was never an option to ask my parents or anyone in my family for financial help—everyone was barely getting by. At 14, I started working to support myself, and that work ethic carried me here. I saved every bit I could to come to the U.S. and eventually made it as an au pair, a position that allowed me to continue working hard while adjusting to life in a new country. For two years, I worked tirelessly as an au pair, balancing responsibilities with my dreams for something bigger. There were days I questioned if it was all worth it, but each hour worked felt like an investment in my future. One of the hardest experiences came when I lost my grandmother. She had been my rock, my guide, and not being there to say goodbye was heartbreaking. She was in the hospital, and my last goodbye was through a phone call. Not being able to be there for her or my family was a reminder of the sacrifices that come with living far from home. But even in loss, she taught me resilience. I chose to carry forward her strength, letting her memory drive me to keep going. Today, I am on the path to becoming the first in my family to graduate from college—a milestone that’s both personal and symbolic. My parents, especially my father, who didn’t finish high school, would feel immense pride in seeing me reach this goal. My journey as an immigrant has been marked by challenges but also by powerful lessons. Perseverance has become my greatest strength, grounding me in the life I’m building here and honoring my roots. Being an immigrant means carrying the weight of two worlds, but it also means having the strength of both.